The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1887-06-11
LOVE IN A FOG.

lhere were tears IN her faded eyes. and tear
stains on her withered old cheeks, as with
trembling hands she plated and unplaited
the hem of her embroidered apron.
She dared not go into Francesca's room,
for the child she had rocked i'll her bosom
turned from her with sighs aud means:
"Go away, Nunzatina, leave me in peace.
always inpeace."
She dared not go down stairs wherc the old
master was closcted with the Sgnor Dottorc,
for the profes>orc was not like himself this
morning. He was disturbed and bewildcred
and was impatient of Annunziat;'s lannnta-
tions. Why had the malign Englslman
ever coma 10 trouble this peaceful home on
the Licva' Those cold English, cruel and
icy rs their chill, foggy land! All had been
going Smoothly for the dear Sisnor Antonio
till the Ela!ede:to di Inglese turned the head
of our little Francesca!
"Ame, a!me," Annun2iata moaned and
wept, and plated her apron. Her heart was
very full, for she loved the Sisnor Antonio
ike son. Then she saw the Signor Pro-
fessore coming up the stairs with the Sigmor
Dottorc, and she curtsied and wiped her eyes.
"Well. Annunziata, how are we getting
ons' inquired the elottore chccrily.
"Ah, Signor Dottole, it is q sad day for
this house, sighed the nurse.
"No, 40, Annunziata, my friend. \ tritle,
trilc. You are all making too much of
girlish caprice'-
Amnunziara softly opened a door and
peeped into Francesca's room She shook
her head sadly and then threw the door open,
saving, "Entcr, Sigmcri."
The room WAS almost dark. a heavy red
damask curtain was drawn across the priEci-
pal window, and Francesca lay on couch in
shadowed corner, with her head buried in
the red velvet cushions. The thick masses of
her black hair stood out i'll relief against the
rich crimson of the pillows. 'lcr face was
hidden. She never stirred as her father and
the doctor Went into the room.
The poor old prolessorc was dazcd and
puzzled. He knew more of marine biology
than of women. a great disturbance was
wrought in him by this tiistracins beilavior
Oh the part Of his litti. 'Ccsca He had not
the smallest idea what to do. Trancesca's
strange affection for his distinguished English
student amazed him Tho milol,.o was an
impassioned pupil Science was his mistress.
He had never another thought. Blind profes-
sorc!
The professorc crossed the room with hul'-
riel. uncertain step, and put his hand timidly
on Francesca's shoulder.
"'Cesca, my little one, look up. Hero is the
Signor Dottore."
Francesca lifted her head. There was II
faint, dusky glow on her olive checks. Her
great dark eyes were dry, but deep and lumi-
nous with emotion. She cls,si,al lIer fathers
hand between her two little hot palms
"Babbo, il mo babbo,' She cried "T.ct mo
die. care no more to live. l wish to sleep
in the grave. Oh, yes, to Sleep forever, for
ever with my mother
The professore turned pale to the roots of
his white hair. But the ololtnre, With an I'M
nortant manner, took Francesc;i's hand III lis
and felt for the pulse ut her wrist. Francesca,
drew her hand away and buried it under the
cushions.
{ "C;o away, Sgnor Dottorc; so, go, / do not
want you. Iwish to die and go my mother.
How miserable am. What ,ormcnt.'
The professore looked anxio,isly at the
dottorc. The Signor Dottor,., who felt the
unrufiled calm of profound wisdom, screwed
up his eyes and twnkled saeuciously Mt the
troubled profGssore, us much as to say: "I1e,
he. learned profesSore, know thing or two
beyond you. Vita all Your deep researches
you are now sroping in thick darkness.
Stand aside, good professore, and nIlnire the
wealth of my knowledge of human nature.
The heart Of the woman is an open book to
HI. .oo WIN IL ltitueliJ iilhl .l''''Sc diI lilt
lottore drew a chair near Framcescas couch.
'Su. Sill, Francesca, what is the matter now!
What poor fellow have You slain with Your
lark eyes: Nh, little lady, | hear terrible
s.orics of your cruelty, and the foolish old
Gottore struggled to get hold of FraiIcescas
wrist
.Bahlpo.' pl.aGlntl Francesca, with Il pitcous
silver of disgust, rs She hid herself deeper in
ti,n pillows. The professor moved uneasily.
"Como, come, Francesca" l,aill,,ecl the dot
tore, give your devoted atimirer that little
wrist The youth OF Siapcnte will mob
old Capc"ali if he doesn't quickly cure the
beautiful Francesca. a touch of fever, pro,
fesSorc, not,,ing, nothing. \ composing
drausht and our Francesca will lie as danger
Gus as ever.
Francesca turned round AMI raised herself
in sitting position. go away, Sirnor Dot
tore hate YOU. Go away, bablo,' She
said. 81 m,'!ore you to let mc alone. Bah
bo, dear l,a''.)n, 'cpsc go away. Leave nlr
i'll peace, i'll l'";,ce'
The miserable profe5sore trcrahled and
something; Of the immense suffering in the
girls eyes penetrated tho ,lonse covering that
shrou;lel i)ottore Caporaii's soul. Fra@ccsca
buried herself once more III the cushions
The two old men looked helplessly at one an
other anu t.len went 1eeD.y away.
Presently -AnnnZiati came in and looked
wistlully at Francesca.
The Signor Antonio bids mo ask the sig
norma if she will have the flowers on tho ter
race the sano as last year.
81 do not care, NilnZiut: I have told you
do not care for anything
"Ah, my little one, do not say that, you
will break old Nuiziati's heart Think of
Sisnor Antonio, too"
.Nunziata," cried Francesca. turning her
flaming eyes suddenly on tho old llilrsc; 30
away this minute, and leave ne i'll peace"
.AnnunZiata sighed and went sorrowfullv
away. But in Il very short time she returned
again.
The Signor Antonio goes tomorrow tothc
market at v; he bids me inquire if he
Can do anything for the sisnorina.' That
wearisome. laundering Antonio again. Al
ways questions when she wished to be quiet
and watch the sun die over the hill,
'Nothing, nothing, Nunzata. Why does
the Signor Antonio plague me like thiss l
am far too unhappy to want ribbons or lace
He should know that"
Pardon, sgnorina. Last year, when the
Sisnor Antonio started hurriedly without
asking your will, you were very angry and
scolttei him well.' Francesca burst into tears
They were all turning against her HOW. Even
old Nunziata reproved her. They were very
hard and she was so lonely, oh, so very lonely
Bahbo was graver than ever, and stared at
her as if she w.re some strange beast, and the
Signor Dottore was oCiious with his silly
jokes There was 10 onc to whom she could
TIL her thoughts. Oh, what torment, to have
no one to praise you and love and pet YOU!
Quaie tormento!
don't cry. Run down and see what the
.;snor Antonio has done in the garden
l;ut Francesca felt a strong sense Of injury
ard ,youl, not speak. The tears welled into
her lark eyes, but size kept them fixed on the
Iii lhiul which the sun had dipped, and the
ta,iclnl bars uf changing clouds above that
s;rr..sl tl,a rutltl.- skics. She never once
glanced ,lown at til" :sar.!.n where Antonio
was directing the gardener.
A great cry Of grief came up TO F.ancescas